While watching the students of my section of Theories of Social Change class, at the Tulane School of Social Work, advocate for a take home exam earlier in February, a light bulb went off. They teased about "sitting-in" at my office (even though I don't have one) and invoked the name of Sol Alinsky!
I handed out their take-home exams, but a surprise assignment came with it:
"Today you are going to plan an ACTION. It will be a school of social work Theories of Social Change Class-related action. It will culminate in what I am, calling a "role-out"...an action that the class will take to the source and to the street. I am your target or your enemy."
They had the class session to plan according to specific text book guidelines and activities. I observed up to the point where they were planning their action. To make it more meaningful they asked a couple of questions about me-there's my bike, my dog, that I play piano and love "Moon River", but then of course-my overalls. I left. They planned, knowing that whatever they did, had to happen before the end of February.
All through February I've been prepared with my camera. The weather has been horrible so I've been on the streetcar, bus, riding in and home with friends, so my bike hasn't been in it's usual place. Yesterday was another bikeless day for me...what a shame. The students had ridden their bikes and had planned to circle me with their bikes, holding their signs and chanting their chant. As with all good organizers, they had a back-up plan...a gauntlet of change in the third floor lounge.
Walking down the gauntlet, hearing the chant, reading their signs, sitting at the table to read the demand document that everyone signed; I was overcome with gratefulness and pleasure. What a group of students! Everyone participated! We took the action back to the classroom so we could "negotiate" the details and I could sign my intent. There was a lot to cover, tests to return, assignments to discuss and then of course the content for the day. The surprise for me was that the "Role-Out" Action gave them experiences that I could use as examples and refer to during the rest of the class.
We are excited and energized about change...Overall Change, as you can see!
WE WILL PARTY!
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | February 27, 2013 at 11:41 PM
It is incredible time-consuming to write grants ! I fully understand. Unfortunately I don't think I have another pair in your size, otherwise I would have send them to you :) and wow, it could be fun to make a big overall party in NO, yes, really looking forward to that !
Posted by: Niels Windfeld Lund | February 27, 2013 at 07:48 PM
Thanks Niels...when to find the time to shop. I haven't had a moment to breathe since I've been teaching and writing a grant...maybe this weekend. I will forward your greetings-they will all be graduating this December...Maybe an International Overalls Day Party will be in order to celebrate your visit and their graduation! Love, Laury
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | February 27, 2013 at 03:58 PM
well, Laury, you must get a pair of blue overalls ASAP and wearing them every hour you have that class, they certainly deserve that !! tell them I'm teaching all my classes in my well worn overalls and may greetings to both you and them ! overall change, yes !! love niels
Posted by: Niels Windfeld Lund | February 27, 2013 at 03:11 PM